The Savior counseled His apostle Peter, "Feed my sheep" (see John 21:16) and set the example for all how to do so by caring for others, said Elder Ulisses Soares of the Seventy.

Elder Ulisses Soares

Speaking in the Sunday afternoon session of conference, he said, "Jesus showed patience and love to all who came to Him seeking relief for their physical, emotional or spiritual illnesses, and who felt discouraged and downtrodden.

"To follow the Savior's example, each one of us must look around, and reach out to the sheep who are facing the same circumstances, and lift them up, and encourage them to proceed on the journey towards eternal life."

Sometimes as members try to fulfill Church responsibilities, concentrating on activities, meetings and programs, they overlook the needs of other people, Elder Soares said. "The gospel of Jesus Christ is about people, not programs," he affirmed.

He used an experience in his own life to demonstrate how one bishop focused on the needs of one person.

He said, "As I was about to have my 12th birthday, my bishop invited me for an interview and taught me how to prepare to receive the Aaronic Priesthood and be ordained a deacon. As the interview was coming to an end, he pulled out a set of forms from his desk and challenged me to fill them out. They were mission-call papers. I was astonished. After all, I was only 11. But that bishop had a vision of the future and of the blessings that would be mine if I prepared properly to serve a mission when my time came.

"He showed he really cared about me. He told me the steps I should take to prepare both financially and spiritually to serve the Lord. After that day, he interviewed me at least twice a year until I was 19, and encouraged me to remain faithful in my preparation.

"He kept my missionary forms in his files, and mentioned them whenever we had an interview. With my parents' help and with the encouragement of a loving and patient bishop, I served a mission."

Elder Soares said, "It does not matter whether it is a child, youth, or adult, everyone needs to feel loved. We have been counseled for several years to focus on working with new converts and less-active members. People will remain in the Church when they feel someone cares for them."

Jesus commanded that we love one another (see John 13:34-35), Elder Soares said, adding, "People are most receptive to our influence when they feel that we truly love them, and not only because we have a calling to fulfill. As we express true love for people, they will be able to feel the influence of the Spirit and may feel motivated to follow our teachings."